How to Find a Therapist
Finding a therapist can be like online dating. You scroll through the profiles on the directories, read the bios, and see if you are drawn to one more than another. It can be an overwhelming process if you have never done it before or if you have tried and didn’t have a good connection.
Here’s a few tips to help on the search for a therapist:
Where to Find a Therapist
Where does a person even begin to find a therapist? Start by asking friends you trust if they have gone to therapy and have someone they recommend. This doesn’t necessarily mean they will be the right fit for you, but it’s a starting point. Then search online directories for therapists. The most popular are Psychology Today and Good Therapy. If you are looking for an EMDR therapist, check out EMDRIA.org for a directory of therapists that are EMDR certified.
What to Look For
When you are looking for a therapist, you don’t want to merely go off the quality of their profile picture and online introduction (it’s tempting to do so, I know). Consider the following:
Area of Specialty
Cost
Location
Vibe
Availability
A clinician’s area of specialty is important because if you are an adult looking to address childhood trauma, you don’t necessarily want to work with some who specializes in children and is certified in Play Therapy. Consider the areas that you want to address in therapy and find someone who is trained to help with that specifically.
It’s always good to consider the cost of a session and what you can afford. A lot of online directories allow you to filter your search to find clinicians who specifically take your insurance. Cash pay clinicians rates range most often according to their years of experience, credentialing and trainings. Keep this in mind. A masters level intern will likely be more affordable than an independently licensed therapist, but they have less experience. Ask yourself what matters most to you?
Where is the counselor located in proximity to you? Are you open to telehealth therapy if that’s an option? Or do you want a drive withing a certain mile radius? How important is the location to you? In my experience, if I connect with a therapist, I’m willing to make the drive or hop on a telehealth call if that’s where they are available. But this is definitely a personal preference.
It’s important for you to “vibe” with your therapist. Do you read their description and feel an initial connection? Do you prefer to work with a man or woman? Are you looking for a specific demographic? It’s important for you to feel comfortable working with the therapist. The relationship is essential for building trust and rapport.
Lastly, what kind of availability do you need for your schedule? Do you need to work with someone in the evenings after work? Is it important for them to have weekend openings? Or are you flexible? Keep these questions in mind to ask during your consultation.
Schedule Several Consultations
After you have narrowed down your search of therapists, schedule several consultations. Most (if not all) therapists offer a free phone consultation. Take advantage of free time with the therapist to see if it’s a good fit. Do you like their energy on the phone call? How do they make you feel during your conversation? Do you feel like there is a connection? Ask about what to expect when working with them and see if their answer gives you a sense of ease and direction.
Compare the experience of the consultation calls and see who you felt the best connection with and move forward from there. Also, it’s okay if you go to a couple sessions and decide it’s not a good fit. If you don’t feel good about the therapist, it’s better to change after a few sessions than after months of appointments with them. Ultimately the relationship is to benefit you, so don’t worry about hurting the therapist’s feelings by discontinuing treatment.
As you can see, there are many factors when it comes to finding a therapist that is a good fit for you. I encourage you to ask yourself what aspects are the most important to you and try to be flexible with the others. Once you find a therapist that you feel confident in and trust, you can take a sigh of relief and start soaking up the benefits of therapy.
Are you looking for a therapist to work with?